WHSmith
People Partner - Stores
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Job Role: People Partner
PLEASE NOTE: As part of our organisational changes, our ongoing structure and roles continue to be reviewed. While this role is being advertised, circumstances may change and the role could be withdrawn/amended.
At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our People team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.
We’re looking for an experienced People Partner to work closely with our Retail Field Leadership Team, supporting stores across the South of the UK. This is a true field-based role, designed for someone who thrives in fast-paced retail environments and enjoys being visible, influential and hands-on.
You’ll play a key role in delivering our people strategy, enabling leaders to drive high performance, strong engagement and consistent, values-led behaviours across their teams.
What you will be doing:
- Partnering with the field leadership team to deliver people plans aligned to commercial objectives
- Coaching and challenging leaders on performance, engagement, capability and behaviour
- Leading on complex employee relations cases, ensuring fair, consistent and legally sound outcomes
- Supporting organisational change, restructures and consultations with confidence and clarity
- Using data and insight to identify trends, risks and opportunities across the region
- Driving talent, succession and development planning to build future-ready leadership capability
- Embedding people policies, ways of working and cultural expectations across stores
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What we are looking for:
- Proven experience in a People Partner / HR Business Partner role within a multi-site or retail / FMCG / Hospitality / Leisure environment, that is fast paced
- Strong knowledge of employee relations and UK employment legislation
- Confidence partnering with senior retail leaders and influencing at pace, demonstrating the right level of challenge
- Commercially minded, pragmatic and solutions-focused
- Comfortable working autonomously in a field-based role with regular travel
- Ability to manage ambiguity and adapt to changing priorities
- Curious with a passion for data to drive decision making
How we reward our teams:
- Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office
- 4pm Friday Finish
- Flexible Working
- 25 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
- Family Friendly Leave
- Company Pension scheme
- Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
- Competitive Salary and Car Allowance
- Private Medical
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Staff Discount Card for railway stores (subject to policy)
About us:
Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries – the air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey. As a diverse group of over 6,000 colleagues, we’re all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.
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Our business operates from two key locations, In a vibrant area of London, close to Aldgate and Liverpool Street Station, while the other is located at Swindon's International Business Park, just off the M4 with excellent transport links and over 100 on-site parking spaces.
For WHSmith Europe, our mission is simple – to create value for our stakeholders by providing a platform for global brands across airports, hospitals, rail stations and other markets. Our operational environment is fast-paced and highly regulated, requiring exceptional standards of maintenance, compliance, health & safety and colleague welfare across every location.
We’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.
We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!
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